First Leverguns

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J Miller
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First Leverguns

Post by J Miller »

What was your first lever action firearm? Not pellet or BB gun. I'm just sitting here waiting for the Excedrin to take effect on a vicious headache and posting away and this two part question came to mind.

PART A: What was your first center fire lever action rifle? And did this rifle forge your preferences for or against that brand or model of rifle?


PART B: What was your first rim fire lever action rifle? And did this rifle forge your preferences for or against that brand or model of rifle?



To answer my own questions:
A: My first center fire lever action firearm was a circa 1909 vintage 1894 Winchester SRC in 30 WCF. I got in around 1967 when I was 15. It had no finish, replacement sights, a busted firing pin ( the primer end had been replaced with the pointed end of a nail - talk about pierced primers ) and a broken carrier spring when I got it. The saddle ring was missing, a home made hole plug had been installed. I bought a new saddle ring and made my own bushing so the smaller shank would would work on the old carbine. Once I fixed all these problems I had a blast shooting this old lady for a couple years. About then my mother decided I should take a gun safety course and I let the old fuddy duddy know it all who ran the course talk me into trading it off because it was abused and not worth the effort. I was only 17 then and didn't know any better. I miss that carbine to this day. And since then I've had many other Mdl 94 Winchesters. All of them in 30 WCF.

B: My first rim fire lever action firearm was / is my Winchester 9422. I bought it for myself as an early Christmas present in 1977. This carbine impressed me so much I simply quit buying .22 rifles. I still have it. It does every thing I want from a .22 RF.


So that's my early lever gun stories, what's yours?

Joe
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Terry Murbach »

MY FIRST 22LR LEVERGUN WAS A MARLIN MOUNTIE I BOUGHT USED IN 1960 FOR 50[?] BUCKS. I HAVE LOVED MARLIN 22 LEVERGUNS TO THIS DAY ALTHOUGH I TRADED THAT MOUNTIE FOR A SAVAGE ANSCHUTZ 141[?] 22LR BOLT GUN IN '64 OR '65. IN 10 YEARS OR SO OF THE ANSCHUTZ I NEVER MISSED A SHOT IN THE FIELD WITH IT BUT I NEVER COULD WARM UP TO IT'S FUGLY BLONDE WALNUT STOCK. I DUMPED IT FOR GOD-ONLY-KNOWS AND WENT WITHOUT A MOUNTIE UNTIL '77 WHEN I BOUGHT ANOTHER MOUNTIE AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.
I CANNOT REMEMBER THE FIRST CENTERFIRE LEVERGUN I HAD. I AM PRETTY SURE IT WAS THE WINCHESTER '94 COWBOY COMMEMERATIVE I HAVE FROM 1969, A SHOOTIN' SUMBISCUIT I'LL TELL YOU WOOOOOEEEE !!!!
I BOUGHT ANOTHER MARLIN " MOUNTIE ' OF SORTS LAST SEPTEMBER WHEN A 39CL CAME MY WAY AND IT IS SCARY ACCURATE WITH IT'S NICE OPEN SIGHTS OUT TO 75 YARDS. SO DELIGHTFUL AS TO BEGGER COMPARISON.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by AndyM »

A - was a Winchester model 88 in .308 - this rifle absolutly started me down the path towards Winchesters other lever actions; 1892 (3), 1894 (2), 9422 - hopefully someday an 1886 and 1873.

B - my first rimfire was a Remington 572 pump (my dad was a pure Remington pump guy) - I bought the 9422 when I was out on my own buying toys for myself
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deerwhacker444
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by deerwhacker444 »

Part A: It was a Savage 99 that my dad picked up somewhere. I remember it was ugly and the finish was almost all gone. It had the rotating magazine and was chambered in .300 Savage. At the time, that was not an easy caliber to find a box of shells for. It was quickly traded at a gun show (had no idea what I was doing back then, and neither did Dad, as he didn't grow up a hunter) for a Marlin 336 30-30. The Marlin was used until an acquaintance of my uncle was selling her husbands Post 64 Win. 70 chambered in .270 in a divorce settlement. That rifle had a scope and everything and as a teenager I thought that was the bees-knees. The Marlin was sold and I hunted with the Winchester and took my first "rifle" deer with it.

Part B: It was the first real firearm that I ever owned. An Ithaca Model 49. It was a single shot Martini style rifle and must have covered 10,000 miles and easily that many rounds when I was a kid. I remember peddling my bike to the local Otasco after school to buy 1 box of Winchester Wildcat .22 ammo to shoot up, back when they would sell shells to a kid on a bike. I still have that rifle in pieces, waiting to be refinished sometime in the future.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Ben_Rumson »

A. My Winchester 73 SRC 44 WCF about five years ago..& soon discovered this place..Always loved the look of the 73s
B. None as yet
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by morgan in nm »

Image

My first levergun and I still have it. Made in 77. I didn't do the carving in the stock but it does have my name on it "MORGAN" (hard to see from the photo.) As far as having an effect on my gun of choice, to be honest, I didn't like it at first. I didn't know how to sight pumpkin-on-a-post so I didn't care for it. It took me a couple of years to figure it out and now spends time in the closet with 3 or 4 dozen close relatives.

I sold my first levergun rimfire just after I traded for it. It was one of those newer Rugers in 22mag which shot really good but when I took it apart, I was so dissappointed in the construction of the thing, I sold it to a young man's father for a birthday present for his son. I had a couple hundred in it and I sold it for $50. I regret it though now because it was so accurate.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by GANJIRO »

My first centerfire levergun was a gift from Dad back in 1976 my ever reliable 1894 Marlin in 44 magnum.
I was a late bloomer as far as 22RF leverguns are concerned my stainless steel Taurus model 62LAR purchased in 2006 being my first though my first .22 was a Ruger 10/22 back in '76 another gift from Dad. I'm never selling my 1894 & 10/22 (thanks Dad :cry: ).
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Pathfinder09 »

Mine was my dad's Savage Mod 99 in .30-30. I still have it and shoot it.
Then was a Marlin 336 in .30-30, 1951 vintage. I still have and shoot it also. Now I've added a few more Marlins and Winchesters. You can never have enough lever guns!

8)
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Mike D. »

My first rimfire was a Winchester model 1890 in .22LR that I bought for $17. in 1960. The first centerfire was a .40-82 Model 1886 that I gave $40. for in '62. Both are long gone. I still have the little '92 .25-20 SRC that I also nabbed for a song in '62. What else would a 16 yr old kid spend his paper route money on? I didn't need, or want, a car, so...
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Pete44ru »

My first CF levergun was bought new in 1967, a then fairly new on the market Marlin .444 rifle - which I promptly cut back from a 24" to a 16" barrel.

The first .22 lever was a barely used Marlin 57M LeverMatic .22 Magnum, I bought from a hard-up fellow serviceman in 1966.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Hobie »

My first centerfire rifle was a Marlin 336 .30-30. I mounted a Williams FP on it and it killed deer, dogs, groundhogs, cats, crows, and many happy hours of day dreaming. UNFORTUNATELY, this idiot traded it for a "better" gun... *sigh*

My first rimfire levergun was this here Marlin 39M. Came late to the house but sits well in our affections.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by J Miller »

Hobie wrote:My first centerfire rifle was a Marlin 336 .30-30. I mounted a Williams FP on it and it killed deer, dogs, groundhogs, cats, crows, and many happy hours of day dreaming. UNFORTUNATELY, this idiot traded it for a "better" gun... *sigh*

My first rimfire levergun was this here Marlin 39M. Came late to the house but sits well in our affections.
Hobie,
A couple years ago I saw a 39 (M?) similar to yours only with a slimmer forearm. I really considered buying it. But the funds dried up before I could. It would have made a really great companion to my 9422.

Joe
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Hobie »

Joe,

Remember back in 2003 when CDNN was selling the 9422 color-cased trappers in both .22 LR and .22 mag for $479? Should have bought one of each! :roll:
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by J Miller »

Hobie wrote:Joe,

Remember back in 2003 when CDNN was selling the 9422 color-cased trappers in both .22 LR and .22 mag for $479? Should have bought one of each! :roll:
No Kidding! Those were purty. One of the trapper versions would have matched up to my 1980 30-30 trapper perfectly.

Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts ;) .***
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Griff »

Hope yer Excedrin has kicked in! Was talkin with my oldest brother and he reminded me that my first levergun was neither center or rimfire, nor was it a BB or pellet gun; but t'was:

Image

'Cept ours shot real cork on a string! circa 1954! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by ceb »

First centerfire, a used 1894 Marlin in .44mag.

First Rimfire, when I was a kid my best friends uncle had left his guns with them for safekeeping for a while. One on those was a Marlin 39A. I absolutly fell in love with that gun and it is what moved me to leverguns. It took several years but I bought one. Now have 3 variations of that rifle and a 9422. Still my favorites.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by KirkD »

First levergun? A Winchester Model 1894 octagon barrelled 38-55 lettered as having been received in the warehouse in 1899. I still have it and don't ever plan to part with it.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by J Miller »

Griff,

That's cute :lol: .

I think my first "rifle" was one of the Daniel Bone flintlocks that held caps in the powder tray. If you used the right caps you could actually shoot a cork ball out of the barrel. Didn't take long to loose all the cork balls and the fake coon skin cap.

Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts ;) .***
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by dr walker »

A. My first lever action was a USRAC Winchester 44 magnum Trapper. The rifle had issues that as a teenager I was unable to understand. When it wasnt locked up or jamming, it was very accurate. I sold it with no regret. I have not owned another Winchester, but currently have my eye on a pre-war .32 special. I love the 44 magnum and have tried other levers including Ruger and Marlin. I still have the Marlin.

B. My first rimfire lever action is a Marlin 39, I think it is perfect for me, I will never sell it.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Griff »

:lol: Glad ur headache is gone. Hoped a lil' humor wouldn't hurt! ISTR one of those Dan'l Boone muskets as well. My only "1st levergun" was a Winchester 94 in .44Mag I bought for the unpaid balance in the Ship's Store in '72 while in VN. Have never owned a rimfire longgun.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by hfcable »

my first lever action center fire, that i owned rather than borrowed, was an 1881 marlin 45/70 with 28" barrel; huge heavy gun that shot really well [ replaced it with a nicer version of the same, eventually] and my first lever action 22 lr was the old ithaca model 49 single shot, if that counts, if not then it has to be a winchester 1866 carbine repro by uberti, in 22lr.....Paco has that one now! and i believe he loves it [not to worry i still have a 1866 24" barrel 22 lr rifle, an 1873 22 mag carbine, and a marlin 39 take down , a marlin original 1897 28" barrel deluxe, a marlin sideloader 1891 22lr, a winchester 94/22 22lr, and a remington nylon 76 lever rifle]
and to answer part two re: the marlin centerfire; in my father's family marlin centerfires were held in very low esteem dating back to the time one of his uncles had the bolt from a 1893 marlin 'hi power' come loose [ i suspect he failed to reassemble it properly but we will never know] and come back thru his eye, fortunately turning downward at the back of his orbit ["eye socket"] and protruding into the roof of his mouth! [ when he woke up he hiked down out of the mountain, down to his horse and rode to town, where he insisted the local gp remove it, refusing to go to another town, telling the doc that he would pull it out himself if the doctor didn't; there was no nearby hospital...he went home and took whatever pain medicine they gave him; I met this man myself, when i was a young boy, maybe 10 years old, he lived into his 80's despite this]; after getting this old 45/70 and shooting it, and still having my eyes intact, i decided marlins were great guns, as were winchesters.
in 22's i really like all of the lever guns, and the brands they represent, although the early marlins, like the 1891 and the 1897 are my favorites.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by hfcable »

Griff wrote:Hope yer Excedrin has kicked in! Was talkin with my oldest brother and he reminded me that my first levergun was neither center or rimfire, nor was it a BB or pellet gun; but t'was:

Image

'Cept ours shot real cork on a string! circa 1954! :lol: :lol: :lol:
i believe that is the exact same model used by the legendary outdoorsman:
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by woods-walker »

As a teenager many years ago I purchased a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington and a couple of years later a Marlin 39A. Both rifles have been traded away but cetainly provided me with an appreciation and education of both lever action rifles and Marlins. This later evolved into an appreciation of the Winchesters and the Browning reproductions.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Idiot »

Savage 99. It along with the other half-dozen 99s I've owned finally cured me of them completely. First one had a headspace problem and the a couple of the later had ejection problems. I finally wised up and kicked them out of the house for good. If I could find one now for what their practically worth - around $125, I'd probably make the same mistake as before and buy it.

First rimfire was the Marlin M39. It got awful heavy while chasing cotton rockers in the desert and I filed it for something lighter. A 22LR should not weigh as much as a centerfire. Anyway, I now use a Ruger 96/22 and like it a lot. It shoots straight, is light, and fires each and every time I pull the trigger.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Chuck 100 yd »

Mine was a Marlin 336A .30-30 my dad bought for me on my 15th
birthday in "1961" She was used but SOOOO SWEET !! :D
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by rjohns94 »

first centerfire lever was a marlin .444, followed shortly by a marlin 1894 .44. Yes, it has affected me to this day. I love marlins!!!

first Rim fire lever was a marlin 39 - loved the long barrel and loaded full of shells, seemed you could hunt all day! I have a marlin 39 tds now, not as many can be loaded but thats what they make pockets for.

I'm not sure if I picked up a Stevens single shot before the those levers but there was always one of those hanging around.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by jdad »

A. Marlin 336C 30-30

B. 1947 Marlin 39A
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by CowboyTutt »

My first rifle of any kind was my Legacy 454 Puma that I bought with the intention of having Mic McPherson tune it up for me. I was actually refered to Mic from Paco himself after I inquired about Paco's "free-floating" a levergun barrel technique. It took almost two years I think before I was able to afford the work, but Mic and I did get around to it, and that decision has put me on a very interesting path in my life by introducing me to many very fine folk. I am indebted to them and what they have taught me. I really think the '92 is impossible to beat for a pistol caliber levergun.

I don't own a rimfire levergun, or any rimfire rifles or pistols at this point. I'm content with that for now. Something in 22 Mag might be nice someday, but its low priority for me.

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Re: First Leverguns

Post by C. Cash »

First Rimfire: An Ithaca Mod. 49 Single Shot Lever. My Dad called it mine when I was 5 I believe about 1973. Shot up alot of cans and bottles around the Superstition mountains with it and an older Western Field(Mossberg) bolt gun.

First Centerfire: A 70's vintage Winchester Mod. 94 at about age 14, in 30/30 of course. My Dad gave it to me, and like a dumb idiot I gave it to my older brother upon entering the Army, and it went back to my Dad eventually. I am still trying to get it back! It set it up for me that the Win. 94 is THE rifle, and after getting out of the Army I bought the Big Bore version of the Mod. 94 in 356 Win. Still would love to the have my original though.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by CowboyTutt »

Cash, the Superstitions are a wonderous place to grow up I bet (but Hot!) I think you made a good choice going to the BB design. It's what I would have done...... :lol:

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Re: First Leverguns

Post by C. Cash »

Tutt, yes it was quite a place to be a kid with a 22 rifle. It was truly a gun culture there as well at that time. No doubt you would have gone with the Big Bore......to be honest I'd be a little scared to go shootin' with you Tutt with some of the iron you tote around! :wink:
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by CowboyTutt »

to be honest I'd be a little scared to go shootin' with you Tutt with some of the iron you tote around!
:wink:
Yeah, seems I've heard that before..... :lol:

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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Jaguarundi »

My first CF Levergun was a pre-war savage 99 in 300 savage(after a few years of hunting I gave it to my father.Wish I had it back.My brother has the 99 now).My first RF levergun was the Ithaca 49 :D .When I outgrew the 49 I gave to a friend's boy. :D The 99's reputation for smooth feeding spindle magazine makes me very critical of every levergun I handle for operating quality. 8)
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by 20cows »

My first center fire lever was a 94 Winchester. It was the first gun I purchased myself and I got it the first summer out of high school. It was a mid 70's standard carbine in .30-30. I've been hooked on 94s ever since.

I still have it, but it is now a rifle in .38-55. I guess it is sort of a "pre-puzzle." (Puzzle Five is in the early building stage).


The first lever rimfire was an Ithica model 49 my older brother and I shared. He ran off with it and traded it off a long time ago. I have thought about getting another, but never followed through with the thought.
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TedH
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by TedH »

First one was a Marlin 336. Eventually traded it for an 1895. First rimfire was the Henry that I still have.
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El Chivo
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by El Chivo »

first rifle: Marlin 1894c in .357 magnum

first rimfire: Marlin 39A

both recent models, bought in 2005.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by footlong »

My first levergun was a Marlin 39A. app67 $87 new-no2 was a Marlin in 375Win used app80 $150
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Old Time Hunter »

First one I used was Gramps '92 .44-40, first one I owned was a Glenfield 30A bought back in '68 or so...still have both!
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by salvo »

My first centerfire was bought brand new by my Dad in 1949. He gave it to me when I was 12 after I shot my first Mule deer with it.
1949 Marlin 336A 30-30
Image


My first rimfire is a Winchester 9422M that I bought new in 1992
Image


As far as the Marlin being my first, it turns out I like the looks and handling of the Winchesters the most.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by J Miller »

CowboyTutt wrote:
to be honest I'd be a little scared to go shootin' with you Tutt with some of the iron you tote around!
:wink:
Yeah, seems I've heard that before..... :lol:

-Tutt
Tutt,
I'll go shootin with you, I ain't scared of nuthin. I'll shoot anything ... once.

Scott,
You need to use that 9422M some more, it still looks new.

Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts ;) .***
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O.S.O.K.
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Mine, that I owned myself was actually a Marlin 336 purchased from Walmart specifically for deer hunting. I had shot and hunted with my dad and brothers as a kid but there was big gap in hunting and shooting as young adult. It wasn't until I was in my early 30's that I took them both up again and have hard after both ever since.

I took my first whitetail buck with that Marlin. I was hunting from a tree stand (old chain-on variety) and got the buck at about 20 yards - dropped him on the spot. Unfortunately, It was traded off to get a Ruger 308 or something "better" - don't even remember which one it was...

The one and only .22 Lever that I owned got sold off a year and half ago to pay the bills while unemployed - it was a Browning and shot very well - but I never really took a shine to it - it was too shiney and modern looking for me.

I don't currently have a .22 lever - pump, bolt, semi auto yes, but no lever. I'd like to get a Marlin 39... but I just blew the wad on a old 336 Texan... :)
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bsaride
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by bsaride »

Part A (first lever):

First was a 30-30 and I couldn't tell you if it was a Winchester or Marlin, didn't shoot it hardly at all. It was given to me and I in turn gave it to my friends dad who had one (.357) stolen from his van, I think my wifes big mouth at a party at his house was the cause for it getting stolen (back in the 80s). A couple years later a friend at work took me shooting with his original Win 1886, 94, and 71, really enjoyed shooting them but with a startup family and enough guns at the time I didn't get any of my own.

Part B (first rimfire lever):
1927 Marlin Pre-A 39 I bought a little over a year ago.

Part C (current levers):
1908 Marlin 1893 take-down 30-30
1927 Marlin 39 octagon barrel, vintage Lyman 17 front, Win 96 rear peep (mounts in barrel dovetail)
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dbateman
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by dbateman »

my first RF levergun was a 9422 that had been keept in a damp rifle bag and has poor finish
on the top of the barrel but it had very littel use till i bought it a couple of years ago.
the first center fire was a win 94 ranger 30-30 it had spent most of its life bouncing around
in bull catchers i sold it for a better one and still regret doing that the new one looks better but dosent
feel the same and hardly gets used
the rifle the that led me to lever guns was win 94 trapper in 357mag that a mate of mine had when i was a kid
wont one of those littel trappers in 357 been looking for one for a wile now not many around here???
Dave Bateman .


If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words, matches cause fires and spoons make Rosie O'Donnell fat.
shawn_c992001
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by shawn_c992001 »

The first centerfire I had was a 94 Trapper in 357 Mag with the horrible crossbolt safety. I recently traded it to a friend of mine for his son to shoot/hunt with. It also had the promise to offer it back to me first if it ever became available.

To this day I still don't have a rimfire levergun. Although I have been thinking about a Henry in 22 Mag.
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Poohgyrr
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Poohgyrr »

First centerfire Lever was a 20" Winchester 30-30 bought on sale for $140 OTD aound 1980. Still have it, with a Williams FP. This carbine helped fuel the need for more Levers.

First .22 Lever, and the only.22 rifle I've ever owned, is a '67 Western Field (Mossy) gifted from my Parents and Great Grandma. Spent most summers at Great Grandma's doing chores for ammo money. Rode my old Schwinn to the hardware store (building is real old and a State Historical Landmark) in town and buy a brick of Winchester .22LRHP's. Go out on the ranch or vineyyards and reck havoc on the ground squirrels and jack rabbits. This Lever, and all the old 1950s & 1960s Westerns on television, started the Lever addiction.
John
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OJ
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by OJ »

Acquired a Winchester 32 Special 94 at about age 9 but, over the years (decades - OK half-century plus) I lost it. However, in 1968, got this Winchester 94 Buffalo Bill Commemorative Rifle and this Browning BL22 on the same day from the same dealer.

Image

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Paid $100 for the BL22 but only $90 for the 94 - ??? Being raised on the philosophy of not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I never asked but figured he made his profit on the "carbine" of the pair and might have trouble selling the one with the 26" barrel ( they were produced in pairs with consecutive serail numbers - octagonal barrels, one with 20" barel and the other with the 26" barrel - weighs about 9 1/2# loaded)

:mrgreen:
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Old Savage
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Old Savage »

The BLR in 243 pictured here - still the most accurate lever I have come across and the equal of any carryable bolt action hunting rifle.

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Peter M. Eick
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by Peter M. Eick »

Question 1 is a Winchester 94 in 30/30 I bought new when I was 16.
Question 2 is a Winchester 9422 I bought new when I was 28.

There have been many since, but those were the first.
38-55 & 38/44 What a combination!
brucew44guns
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by brucew44guns »

The first rifle I ever owned was a lever, gotten in 1962, Long Tang model 71, #40XX, in mint condition. It has served well, and still have it. First lever .22 was bought in 2002 I believe, a Win 9422. Both those guns have given me reason to appreciate Winchesters, but I really enjoy my Marlins too.
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geobru
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Re: First Leverguns

Post by geobru »

A: My first levergun was an 1886 WInchester in 40-82 that my dad gave me. I never shot it until this past year, but I realy liked the lever action. I bought a BLR in 308 in about 1978 that was so accurate that I retired my Remington 30-06 bolt gun and used the Browning as the primary meat stick from then on. I want to get some more Winchesters in the 92 and 94 varieties, but funds are a limiting factor!!

B: I don't really have a lever action 22. The closest I come to that is an old Stevens Favorite rolling block that does have a lever..... It has a bright barrel and shoots better than I can hold it.
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